Messi named TIME magazine’s 2023 Athlete of the Year

Lionel Messi has been named TIME Athlete of the Year for 2023 for his incredible impact on soccer in the United States.

But despite his influence on the field, it is Messi’s seismic impact on US soccer that sees him win the TIME award.

He has brought the eyes of the world to MLS in a way that no player in the past was able to.

The Argentine moved to Inter Miami in July and transformed a team languished at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

He immediately turned their fortunes around and led them to a Leagues Cup triumph, the first piece of silverware in franchise history.

With the nation set to host the 2024 Copa América and 2026 World Cup, Messi’s arrival in Miami could one day be viewed as the catalyst for a new era of American sport.

During his time with Barcelona, Messi was named LaLiga Best Player on six occasions between 2008-09 and 2014-15.

Only Cristiano Ronaldo (2013-14) and Antoine Griezmann (2015-16) managed to display Messi and win the Spanish league award.